What is the difference between a pergola and a patio cover?

A pergola has an open-lattice roof built for partial shade; a patio cover (sometimes called a solid-roof pergola) has a solid roof panel that keeps rain off the space underneath. A screened enclosure adds insect screening on top of either.

How much does a paver patio cost?

A brick or paver patio runs $8–$25 per square foot installed, per Angi’s 2026 data. Nationally, the average full patio project costs about $4,007, with most homeowners paying $2,029–$6,089.

Do I need a permit for a pergola or patio cover in Florida?

Yes. Under s. 553.79(1), F.S., Florida building permits are required for the construction, erection or alteration of most structures, and an attached pergola, patio cover or screened enclosure is new structural work, not a repair.

Pergola & Patio Cover Cost in South Florida (2026)

Q: How much does a pergola cost?

A pergola typically costs $30–$60 per square foot, or about $2,118–$6,435 installed (average $4,251 for a 100 sq ft structure), per Angi’s 2026 cost data. Aluminum and vinyl run $10–$30/sq ft; cedar $25–$35; pine $25–$40; redwood $40–$50.

How Much Does a Pergola or Patio Cover Cost in South Florida?

Real 2026 cost ranges by material for pergolas, patio covers and the paver patio that usually goes underneath – not vague estimates.

$4,251average installed cost of a 100 sq ft pergola, per Angi 2026 data

$30–$60per square foot, typical pergola cost range

$8–$25per square foot, brick/paver patio cost

By Elbaz ConstructionUpdated October 11, 20266 min readSources: Angi 2026 cost data · Florida Statutes

Pergola, patio cover, or screened enclosure

The short answer

A pergola (open lattice roof) typically runs $30–$60 per square foot, or about $2,118–$6,435 installed (average $4,251 for a 100 sq ft structure), per Angi’s 2026 cost data. A solid-roof patio cover or a screened enclosure costs more because it adds full weather protection and, usually, a heavier structural frame. The material you pick – aluminum, vinyl, cedar, pine or redwood – moves the price more than almost anything else.

Open-lattice pergola

Partial shade, open to the sky between the slats. The lightest structure, the lowest cost per square foot.

Solid-roof patio cover

Full shade and rain protection. Heavier framing and a real roof assembly, so it costs more than a pergola.

Screened enclosure

Adds insect/debris screening around an existing covered patio or pergola, on top of the structure cost.

Why the legacy page blurred them together

These are three different structures, not one

"Outdoor remodeling" covers a few genuinely different products, and the cost (and the permit) depends on which one you mean. A pergola is an open-lattice roof – slats with gaps, built for partial shade and a defined outdoor room, not full rain protection. A patio cover (sometimes called a solid-roof pergola, like our full-length aluminum patio cover project) has a solid roof panel, so it keeps rain off a dining or kitchen area underneath. A screened enclosure adds insect screening around a covered patio, turning it into a bug-free room without walls.

Outdoor kitchen with bar seating beneath a cantilevered covered structure attached to the rear of a house — An outdoor kitchen with bar seating beneath a cantilevered covered structure attached to the rear of a house.

Angi 2026 cost data, per square foot

What a pergola costs, by material

Pergola cost, by material (per sq ft)

Angi 2026 cost data

Aluminum$30/sq ft

Vinyl$30/sq ft

Cedar$35/sq ft

Pine$40/sq ft

Redwood$50/sq ft

Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pergola? (2026 data)

Aluminum and vinyl run $10–$30 per square foot, the lowest-maintenance and lowest-cost options. Cedar runs $25–$35, pine $25–$40, and redwood $40–$50 per square foot – wood costs more up front and needs periodic sealing or staining in South Florida’s humidity and UV exposure. Across all materials, a typical 100 sq ft pergola installs for $2,118–$6,435, averaging about $4,251, per Angi’s 2026 data.

Open timber-slat structure, built to hold its own roof load

A freestanding pavilion we built

Before, an open yard

No defined outdoor room
No shade over the seating or dining area
No structure to hang lighting or a fan from

After this project

A freestanding timber-slat pavilion with a closed soffit
A paved plinth underneath, built level with the surrounding grade
Columns set on footings sized for the roof and wind load

Structural columns set and timber-slat screen wall hung, soffit closed, post bases still open to grade — Structural columns set and a timber-slat screen wall hung, with the soffit closed and post bases still open to grade before backfill.

The footings and post bases matter as much as the finish: our pergola installation process covers how we size columns and footings for South Florida wind load before any slats go up.

Freestanding pavilion over a paved plinth on artificial turf, complete — The same freestanding pavilion, complete, set over a paved plinth.

Angi 2026 cost data

Most pergolas and patio covers sit over a paver patio

Patio cost, 2026 (Angi average)

National average installed cost

Brick/paver patio (per sq ft, low end)$8/sq ft

Brick/paver patio (per sq ft, high end)$25/sq ft

Angi, Brick Paver Patio Cost (2026 data)

A brick or paver patio runs $8–$25 per square foot installed, per Angi’s 2026 data. Nationally, Angi puts the average full patio project (any material) at $4,007, with most homeowners paying between $2,029 and $6,089, based on over 18,000 verified Angi Pro projects.

Large-format paver terrace laid around a sunken spa beneath a thatched shade structure, with a rendered boundary wall behind — A large-format paver terrace laid around a sunken spa beneath a thatched shade structure, with a rendered boundary wall behind.

That paving work is also where a lot of the project timeline goes – our paver patio installation service page covers base prep, drainage slope and paver selection on its own.

Covered terrace with the travertine paver field laid and materials still on site as work continues — A covered terrace with the travertine paver field laid and materials still on site as work continues.

Florida, not optional for an attached structure

Most of these need a building permit

In Florida, building permits are required for the construction, erection, or alteration of most structures, per s. 553.79(1), F.S. A pergola, patio cover or screened enclosure attached to the house, or any structure with its own roof and footings, is new structural work and goes through the same local permitting and inspection process as any other addition – it is not treated as a repair.

Screened patio enclosure set on a paved slab at the rear of a house, with lawn running up to the edge — A screened patio enclosure set on a paved slab at the rear of a house, with lawn running up to the edge.

Interactive checklist

Deciding which structure fits

0 of 5 done

Do you want full rain protection, or just partial shade? A solid-roof patio cover keeps rain off; an open-lattice pergola does not.
Is insect pressure a problem in your yard? A screened enclosure solves that; a pergola or open patio cover does not.
Is the structure attaching to the house, or freestanding? Attached structures tie into the existing roof load path and usually cost more to engineer.
Is there a patio underneath already? If not, paver patio cost (about $8–$25/sq ft) is a separate line item on top of the structure.
What is the maintenance budget? Aluminum and vinyl need little upkeep; cedar, pine and redwood need periodic sealing in South Florida humidity.

Pergolas, patio covers, screened enclosures and the patio underneath

What we do

Elbaz Construction builds open-lattice pergolas, solid-roof patio covers, screened enclosures and paver patios across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, including the footings, post bases and roof framing an attached structure needs to meet South Florida wind load.

Poolside pavilion with timber-slat soffit and dark split-face stone wall behind — A poolside pavilion with a timber-slat soffit and a dark split-face stone wall behind.

Tell us the size of the space you are covering and we will walk through pergola vs. patio cover vs. screened enclosure for your yard, before we talk about price.

Pergolas, pavilions and patios we have built

Real Elbaz Construction project photos. Photos show the work only; none is presented as a particular home or location. Tap a photo to enlarge.

Google reviews

What clients said on Google.

4.8348 Google reviews (checked Oct 2026)

Asher was the best choice I have made. We love the outcome of the ADU . They showed up on time and did a great job, were friendly. No issues at all during the whole process. Very organized team . I would recommend them to everyone I know !

Robert Bryana year ago

Great experience! The team was professional, efficient, and delivered high-quality work on time. They communicated clearly throughout the project and exceeded our expectations. Highly recommend for any construction needs!

Andrewa year ago

If you are planning to remodel your kitchen or bathroom or do any other construction project, call Sean from Elbaz Construction . He has a lot of experience and will recommend the best options/ suggestions to your project. He did high quality job !

Kameron Allisona year ago

Thank you Ashley ! We love the new bathrooms. Good with communication and very clear with explanations . I will definitely use them again in the future

Andrew Tyupaa year ago

Asher has a lot of experience . We replaced our windows to energy efficient windows. He got down to business right away and did high quality work. His team is very professional! Thanks again

jessica berlinera year ago

I give them a five star rating not only for their excellent roofing skills and timelines, but also for their competitive pricing and the honesty and professionalism of the team !! We are very pleased with the outcome

Zachary Gugliottaa year ago

Genuine Google reviews of Elbaz Construction, reproduced as written. They describe general work with us, not the specific topic of this article. Read all reviews on Google.